Then again, Saturdays that seem prime for high-quality games often disappoint, which is why we play the games. Week 11 of the college football season doesn’t have the top-five showdown or the historic in-state rivalry game. However, the games on the Week 11 schedule will go a long way in deciding which final four teams will be selected for the College Football Playoff at the end of the regular season. FORMER ALABAMA RUNNER CONCERNED ABOUT PROGRAM’S FUTURE UNDER NICK SABAN Let’s take a look at some matchups to catch up on Saturday as the college football season kicks off in Week 11.
Arkansas vs. No. 7 LSU – Noon ET, ESPN
LSU is coming off its biggest win of the Brian Kelly era, defeating Alabama in the a last second two point chat in Week 10. The SEC Championship game is in the sights of the Tigers, but there are two more SEC teams to get through before a championship game berth can become a reality. The first comes on Saturday when LSU heads to Fayetteville to face an Arkansas team that is having a disappointing season. LSU head coach Brian Kelly during a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Nov. 5, 2022, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. (John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) A win over the Razorbacks and an Ole Miss loss would lock up the SEC West for LSU, but a loss at Razorback Stadium ends the lofty goals within reach for the Tigers. CENTRAL MICHIGAN BERT EMANUEL JR. LIFTS CHIPPE TO WIN WITH ELECTRIC RUNNING, 293 YARDS Arkansas is coming off a loss to Liberty in which the rushing attack was held up, gaining just 144 yards. The season, Arkansas holds the second best rushing offense in the SEC and 10th in the nation with 233.3 yards per game. Raheim Sanders leads the SEC in rushing yards (1,101) and quarterback KJ Jefferson is a dual-threat QB, rushing for 425 yards and six touchdowns on the season. Arkansas Razorbacks’ Raheim Sanders (5) runs the ball during a game against the Liberty Flames at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, November 5, 2022 in Fayetteville, Ark. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) LSU’s defense is in the middle of the pack in the SEC when it comes to stopping the run, allowing 141.4 yards per game on the ground. “Obviously playing a team that has a very productive offense,” Kelly said of Arkansas Monday, according to 247 Sports. “And, as far as players go, it starts with their quarterback. I think it’s the fifth time now that we’ve seen a big quarterback. KJ Jefferson, 6-3, 240. Has 17 passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns. He’s going to be a handful . Another guy we have to be able to control what he’s doing and put him on the ground.” KJ Jefferson (1) of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Liberty Flames at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Nov. 5, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) DABO SWEENEY THREATS TO START QB IF HE IMPROVES CLEMSON’S OFFENSE LSU’s rushing attack is on a three-game winning streak, rushing for an average of 204.0 yards per game since losing to Tennessee on Oct. 8. The Tigers have a chance to shake up the College Football Playoff image if they are able to run the table and find a way to beat Georgiathe possible representative from the SEC East, in the SEC Championship Game. But first, there’s Arkansas, an opponent that presents a “trap game” for Kelly and the Tigers. “I guess. I mean, I guess that’s what they call it,” Kelly said when asked if Saturday’s game was a trap game for LSU. “I never pursued it because I think if it’s a trap game, you haven’t done a very good job with your football team.”
No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 9 Alabama – 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
It is about as position unknown for Alabama as you will ever see. The Crimson Tide are effectively out of contention for a berth in the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff after losing to LSU in Week 10. Alabama is hoping to avoid losing back-to-back regular season games for the first time since 2007 – Saban’s first year in Tuscaloosa – and its third regular season loss for the first time since 2010. Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban leaves the field after a game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on Nov. 5, 2022, in Baton Rouge, La. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) “I think it’s a challenge for all of us to have pride,” Saban said Monday, according to CBS Sports. “We’re going to play a good team this week and I’m sure they’re going to want to wear their ‘We beat Alabama, too’ mantle.” So it’s a matter of whether we allow it to happen or do everything we can to avoid it.” CFP TOP 25: TCU Enters Top FOUR, GEORGIA JUMPS TO NO.1 Saban will try to avoid disaster against old friend Lane Kiffin. Kiffin has his Ole Miss Rebels ranked 11th in the CFP rankings and set to beat Alabama for the first time since 2015. Kiffin, who coached under Saban from 2014-16, reminded reporters Monday that Alabama could easily be undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country. Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin looks on from the sideline during a game against the Texas A and M Aggies at Kyle Field on October 29, 2022 in College Station, Texas. (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) “They’re down two games to two games. Both games could have gone either way,” Kiffin said, according to AL.com. “Alabama kicks the field goal at Tennessee and the [LSU] two points [conversion] stops and is the No. 1, No. 2 team in the country coming here. So we’re talking two games, two teams on the road in two of the toughest environments – over 100,000 people in both games – to play. “This is a great team and the best coach to ever do it.” MINNESOTA FOOTBALL ‘CAMPAIGNS’ FOR SPECIAL PLAYER IN FUNNY ELECTION VIDEO The game will likely be decided at the line of scrimmage with Ole Miss ranking third in the nation in rushing yards per game (267.4) and Alabama’s run defense ranking 11th in the FBS (104.0 rushing yards allowed per game). Mississippi Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (4) reaches the boundary as Texas A and M Aggies defensive back Jaylon Jones (17) closes during a game at Kyle Field on Oct. 29, 2022 in College Station. Texas. (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Ole Miss freshman Quinshon Judkins is second in the SEC with 1,036 yards and first in rushing touchdowns with 13. “They do a really good job with formation multiples, moves, trying to adjust the defense,” Saban said of the Ole Miss rushing attack, according to ESPN. “They have really good running plays, but they run the same plays out of all these different multiples, which tries to put different players in different positions. So, you make a mistake, you have a gap open, and you get beat a play.”
No. 6 Oregon vs. No. 25 Washington – 7 p.m. ET, FOX
After one week of the regular season, no one would have thought Dan Lanning would have his Oregon Ducks in prime position for the CFP with just three conferences to go. But Oregon has been on a roll since beating Georgia 49-3 in the opening weekend, winning eight straight. Ducks welcome Washington to Eugene, where Oregon has won 23 straight games at Autzen Stadium, good for the third-longest home hitting streak in the nation. Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix carries the ball for a fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on Nov. 5, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) VANDERBILT HAS REVIEW OF ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH AFTER FACEBOOK COMMENT IN SUPPORT OF KANYE WEST Led by quarterback Bo Nix, Oregon’s offense was as explosive as any unit in the country. He is second in the nation in yards per game (520.6) and third in points per game (43.1). Since failing to throw a pass and being intercepted twice by Georgia, Nix has thrown for 2,322 yards, 22 touchdowns and just three interceptions since. He has added 457 yards on the ground with 13 touchdowns. It was a balanced offense for Oregon, second in the Pac-12 in rushing yards per game (231.2) and fourth in the conference in passing yards (289.3). “Obviously, coming in from Game 1 it wasn’t the outcome we wanted,” Lanning said of how the schedule has shaken up, according to ESPN. “But since then, our players have done a really good job of being very determined and attacking that we can improve every week, and that really hasn’t changed.” MICHIGAN STATE BASKETBALL COACH TOM IZZO REACTS TO FOOTBALL INCIDENT, SUPPORTS HANDLING OF MEL TUCKER Washington enters the game leading the nation in passing yards per game (370.2) with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to throw for 3,232 yards and 23 touchdowns. Washington Huskies’ Michael Penix Jr. passes during the second quarter of a game against the Oregon State Beavers at Husky Stadium, November 4, 2022 in Seattle. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images) The Huskies have won three straight since then back-to-back losses at UCLA and Arizona State in the middle of the season. “I don’t know if there’s a speech I’ve been to where they haven’t emphasized how important it is to beat the Ducks,” Washington coach Cullen DeBoer said when asked what the Oregon game means, according to The Seattle Times . “It’s definitely important. It’s going to be fun because we’ve put ourselves in a spot where it means something. They’ve been in a spot where it means something. You’ve got the competition on top of that, and it looks like it’s going to be a great week weather-wise. , on Saturday. So it’s going to be a fun weekend.”
No. 18 Texas vs. No. 4 TCU – 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
A win for TCU secures a spot in the Big 12 title game, while a win for…
